Code: FC 1027 (FDNY fire code section)
Description: (Fire Code Section 1027) is the NYC Fire Code rule that requires all exits, hallways, stairways, and escape routes in a building to be kept clear, unblocked, and usable at all times. It covers exits, exit access paths, and exit discharge areas from any occupied part of a building.
Practical Meaning: For a NYC homeowner or landlord, this means stairs, hallways, exit doors, fire escapes, and corridors must never be blocked by storage, furniture, bikes, trash, or locked gates. A violation can result in FDNY fines, required corrections, and failed inspections, and may also put tenants at serious safety risk during a fire.
Where You May See It: You may see FC 1027 on an FDNY violation notice, a fire inspection report, a building safety complaint filed through 311, or a letter from your managing agent after an FDNY inspection. It may also appear on DOB or HPD documents when egress issues are noted alongside other building conditions.
Why It Matters: Blocked exits are a leading cause of fire deaths in NYC buildings, so FDNY enforces this rule strictly and can issue fines or require immediate corrections. An open FC 1027 violation can also affect building sales, mortgage approvals, or certificate of occupancy reviews, as lenders and buyers check for unresolved fire safety violations.
Source: Chapter 10: Means of Egress